Picture transmission and reception system



C. W. HOUGH PICTURE TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION SYSTEM Sept. 4, 1934.

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ATTORNEY S Evx 5 3 td fi u 335 n w M N\ d NII a? M MFHI P lg PatentedSept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PICTURE TRANSMISSION ANDRECEPTION SYSTEM Original application June 12, 1928, Serial No.

284,768. Divided and this application September 7, 1929, Serial No.391,039

4 Claims. (Cl. 178-695) My invention relates to systems for thetransmission and reception of a plurality of individual pictures andmore particularly to systems wherein such pictures comprise theindividual pictures of a motion picture film.

An object of my invention is to provide a synchronizing system employedin systems for the transmission and reception of motion pictures.

Another object of my invention is to provide a system for thetransmission and reception of motion pictures where synchronization ofthe transmitter and receiver is maintained.

A'further object of my invention is to provide a synchronizing systemfor motion picture transmitters, and receivers whereby thesynchronization is automatically maintained.

A better understanding of my invention can be had from the specificationfollowing and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus I employ in the transmission ofmotion pictures; Fig. 2 illustrates the'scanning wheel I employ in theapparatus of my invention; Fig. 3 shows further details of the scanningwheel or band and illustrates the perforations for interrupting orscanning; Fig. 4 shows further details of the perforations in thescanning wheel or band; Fig. 5 illustrates the relative spacing of theperforations in the scanning wheel or band; Fig. 6 illustrates thesynchronizing method and the system I employ for the reception of motionpictures; and Figs; 7 and 8 are diagrammatic illustrations of my systemfor the transmission and reception of motion pictures, by space radioand wired radio systems respectively.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings the transmission apparatus is mounted on abase 1. Base 1 has an upstanding member 36 upon which are mounted filmreels 5 and 6. A case 14 for the motor 2 together with reflector 8,projection lamp 9, and condensing lens 10, is mounted on the-commonbase 1. A base 3 supporting motor 2, reflector 8, projection lamp 9 andcondensing lens I is mounted on case 14. An upstanding member 38supports driving mechanism for reels and 6, and film 46. Thedriving'mechanism includes motor 2, chain or belt 15, pulleys andsprockets 4 and 7 and Geneva star or cam movements 16. Upstanding member36 supports in addition to the driving mechanism for film 46, focusinglens 11 and light sensitive cell 12 enclosed by cover 51. An opening 1'!is provided through the case 14 and is of similar dimensions to onepicture frame of film 46.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, the scanner wheel 22 has an upstanding rim 23which is perforated to interrupt the rays of light. Scanner wheel 22 ismade rigid by ribs 21 pressed therein. A hub 30 has a key whereby theexact position of scanner wheel can be determined in respect to the lensand other equipment, thus enabling synchronization of both transmissionand reception equipment.

- This application is a division of my copending application Serial No.284,768, filed June 12, 1928, certain descriptions of the system in itsentirety being more completely set forth therein.

Fig. 3 shows the scanner wheel 22 and scanner band 23 with perforations2'7, the perforations being arranged in a width 25 on the band 23corresponding to the width of the film frame. A hub and hole 29 indicate'the mounting of the scanner wheel 22 on the shaft of the motor 2illustrated in Fig. 1. Numeral 28 represents the circular degree ofperforations while 26 represents that portion of the band 23 which isopaque or not perforated.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the scanner band 23 of scanner wheel 22 in greaterdetail. The reference characters here are the same as those of Fig. 3wherein, 23 represents the scanner band in its entirety, 25 representsthe width of the area 28 which is perforated. The perforations 27 arespaced along a. diagonal line and spaced the height of the film frame.The portion 26 is opaque and not perforated and constitutes 25% of thecircular measure of the scanner band 23. The scanner band 23 is adevelopment of scanner wheel 22 although it might be otherwiseconstructed of suitable material and secured to the scanning wheel byrivets or machine screws.

Fig. 6 shows the receiving apparatus and includes a base 1 similar tothe base 1 of the transmitter illustrated in Fig. 1. A case 14 ismounted on base 1 and supports the sub-base 3 upon which are mountedmotor 2, reflector 8, high frequency are light or glow discharge tube 40and condensing lens 10. An upstanding member mounted on base 3 supportsan adjustable shaft 41 for adjusting the apparatus in synchronism with,the transmitting apparatus. Shaft 41 has a knob or dial 42- forsynchronization adjustment. Scanner wheel 22 is mounted on the shaft ofmotor 2 and movable therewith. 105 Inclosure case 14 also provides asupport for focusing lens 11 and color filter 44. Color filter 44 ismechanically connected with the shaft of motor 2 by shaft 43 and isadjusted for synchronization with scanning wheel 22. Color filter llFig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of my system for transmission andreception of motion pictures by space radio, reference-numberscorresponding to those in the preceding Figs. 1 and 6. Variations ofcurrent are amplified and modulate the output of the space radiotransmitter.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of my system ,for the transmissionand reception of motion pictures by wired-radio, reference numberscorresponding to those in Figs. 1 and 6. Variations of current areamplified and caused to modulate the output energy of a wired radiotransmitter. The wired radio transmitter is connected electrically withthe receiver.

The standard speed of projection is at the rate of sixteen frames persecond. The opaque section 26 of scanning band 23 cuts oil theprojecting light during the downward movement of the film. The film isthen held stationary and the perforated section 25 of the scanning band23 allows the light to be projected through the picture and on the lightsensitive cell 12. The opaque portion 26 of the scanning band 23 shutsoff the light and the film is again moved down one frame and the cyclerepeated. At the rate of sixteen projections per second, the timerequired for a complete cycle is 4/64 second. Of this, roughly 1/ 64second is devoted to the movement of the film and during this intervalthe light sensitive cell 12 is dark. 3/64 second is devoted to theprojection. This means that each individual frame" of the motion picturefilm 46 must be scanned, transmitted, received and reproduced in 3/64second. The synchronizing system employed is operated during the 1/64second interval when no picture is being trans- -mitted. The method ofsynchronizing employed with my system for transmission and reception isshown. Scanning wheel 22 is shown with scan-, ning band 23. The opaqueportion 26 of scanning band 23 is illustrated as constituting a 90 areor A the circumference of scanning band 23. Synchronizing magnet 31 ismounted on scanning wheel 22. Synchronizing coil system 32 is stationaryand may be mounted on the scanning wheel case 14. The scanning wheel 22rotates in synchronism with the transmitter scanning wheel and thereforethe beam of light 75 of electric current supply of 60 cycles,synchronisni lows;

occupies the same relative position on the receiving screen at eachinstant. The projection lens mounting 11 is movable in and out so thatthe images may be focused properly on a receiving screen of varyingdimensions. A rotating color filter 44 is shown revolving in front ofthe projector lens system. This is operated bysuitable mechanicalconnection 43 to the driving motor 2. There are two color screens inthis element. The screens are made of two compensatedcomplementarycolors which give the effect to the eye of natural colors.This two part screen rotates at one-half the speed of the standardscanning wheel.22, showing alternate pictures through the differentcolored portions of the screen. The filter 44 may be located anywhere inthe light path but it is convenient to place it where it may be removedif monochrome pictures are preferred or if at any time ordinary insteadof colored motion pictures are being sent out by the transmitter.

The manner in which synchronism of the transmitter and receivers isobtained when the receivers and transmitter'operate on the same system I44 intercepts light rays projected on the screen inherent in the 60cycle supply can usually be depended upon. This is largely true instations that are interconnected in super power systems. Ordinary 60cycle synchronous motors may be used and the scanning wheel adjustedarounezas axis, until the picture becomes sharp and theri fixed in thisposition. For space radio and where the 60 cycle motors do not operateon the same system another method must be used to periodically correctany tendency to get out of step. The system of my invention employs asynchronizing impulse in the form of modulated high frequency energyduring the period that the picture frame is being moved, the opaquesection of the scanning member shutting off the light beam and noimpulses caused by variations of light being transmitted.

In the transmitter, as shown in Fig. 1 of the past the stationary core53 there is generated-an:

electrical impulse in the winding of stationary coil 33. This generatedimpulse iszamplifiedand caused to modulate the carrier energy oftransmitter. 7

The impulse is received and amplified and caused to energize a similararrangement at the receiver. The receiver is shown-in detail.in.:.Fig.5. The energization of the coil 33 in the receivein will act of asimilar electromagnet or permanent magnet 31 on the scanning wheel :22ofitherea' ceiver and retard or advance the'scanning; wheel-i Thus asynchronizing impulse will be eirert'ed during each revolution ofscanning wheel.23 dun: ing the interval when no picture is being.trans-i mitted. Sound could also be recorded on-the motion picture filmto be transmitted'and at-the. rcceiving station the pictures in natural:colors could be reproduced accompanied by the-reproeduced sound.

It is obvious that the picture transmission was tem of my inventionpresents many advantages over systems employed heretofore. It is.essen's tial to my invention that the transmissionof the impulse forsynchronizing the receiver'scannina' member with that of the transmittermuststm place during the time that each picture framez-is;

moved to or from transmitting .position. Omdia.

- narily this interval of time-contributes nothingtto the transmissionor reception of the image.

From the accompanying drawings and the ores going specification it ispointed :out that the synchronization force is generated'ande receivedduring the interval between the exposureof the successive picture framesof the .motionapicture film. In this mannerI provide .a synchronizingorcorrecting means for each picture frame. ofthe motion picture film. f

It is obvious that many systems. for the trans mission and reception ofmotion pictures-may be employed without departing fromihespirit ot myinvention, and I do not intend: to limit. invention to the foregoingspecification or toithe accompany drawings but only by the restriotionsimposed by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secuire bii Letters Patent of theUnited States is asioi- 1. In a system for the transmission and renizingthe movement of said shutter with the ception of motion pictures thecombination of a motion picture film, means for producing currentvariations corresponding to light and dark areas of said motion picturefilm, means for producing light variations from said current variationscorresponding to said light and dark areas, means for preventing thetransmission and reception of said current variations when theindividual pictures of said motion picture film are being moved to andfrom the position for transmitting, means for producing an electricalimpulse when no picture is being transmitted and means for receivingsaid electrical impulse whereby said transmitting means and saidreceiving means are synchronized during the period between thetransmission of successive pictures.

2. In a system for the transmission and reception of pictures, a motionpicture film, a rotary shutter having a plurality oi perforations fordirecting a plurality of beams of light over the respective light anddark areas of said film, means for producing variations 01' currentcorresponding to said light and dark areas, means for obstructing saidcurrent variations when said film is in motion, means for synchronizingthe movement of said film with the rotary movement of said shutter,means for producing lightvariations from said current variations, meansfor directing said light variations on respective portions of a visiblescreen, means for producing electrical impulses during the time thatsaid film is in motion and means for synchronizing said transmission andreception means by said electrical impulses.

3. In a picture transmission and receiving system the combination of apicture film, a revolving shutter having perforations for directingbeams of light onto and through light and dark areas of said film andactuating a light sensitive cell, said shutter having an opaque sectionfor obstructing saidbeam of light, means for synchrochanging oi'successive pictures 01' said film whereby said light sensitive cell isnot actuated when said pictures are being changed, means including achannel for transmitting impulses initiated by said light sensitivecell,motor driven receiving apparatus arranged to respond to said impulsesand to reconstruct the light and dark areas of said film in view of anobserver, and an impulse initiating device operable under the control ofsaid revolvingshutter for transmitting periodically to said receivingapparatus an impulse whereby the motor of said receiving apparatus maybe synchronized with said revolving shutter.

4. In a system for the transmission and reception 01' motion pictures byelectrical systems, a motion picture film, means for transmitting saidpicturescomprising means for intermittentlymoving said motion picturefilm, means for successively scanning elemental portions or eachsuccessive picture on said film with beams of light, light sensitivemeans to produce variations of current corresponding to light and darkareas of said pictures, means for obstructing said beams of lightduringthe time interval that said pic- 3 tures 'are being moved to orfrom the immediate transmitting position; means for synchronizing theintermittent movement of said film and said scanning means, means forgenerating an electrical impulse during the time interval that saidpictures are in motion; amplifying, modulating and generating meansassociated with said light sensitive means and .said electrical impulse,generating means; and receiving apparatus comprising means responsive tovariations of current for reconstructing the light and dark areas ofsaid pictures and further means responsive to said electrical impulsesior synchronizing said receiving apparatus with said transmitting means.

I CLINTON W. HOUGH.

